Links: Box Score
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Merrimack College women's volleyball team traveled to Sacred Heart University for the first time in program history on Tuesday night, taking on the Pioneers in Northeast Conference (NEC) play. The Warriors fell in three sets as the Pioneers took the first of two matches against Merrimack this season. The team returns home this Friday evening when Merrimack hosts Saint Francis University at Hammel Court.
The Basics
Score: Sacred Heart 3,
Merrimack 0 (25-4 | 25-12 | 25-8)
Records: Merrimack (1-16, 0-10 NEC) | Sacred Heart (11-10, 6-2 NEC)
Location: Fairfield, Conn. | The Pitt Center
Set Breakdown:
- Sophomores Natasha Vallis and Kara Haase recorded three of the first four points in the opening set for Merrimack. Two prolonged runs to start and end the opener for Sacred Heart gave the hosts the advantage, however, as the Pioneers took a 1-0 edge
- Merrimack hung with Sacred Heart early in the second set as a point by Haase moved the Warriors within three, 7-4, and a kill by freshman Emily Adams trimmed the Warriors' deficit to five a little bit later. Sacred Heart enjoyed a surge from there, pulling ahead by a 23-9 margin. The Warriors fought back for a run as Merrimack took the next three points, spurned by a point from sophomore Kayla Zinser, but the Pioneers close the set after that
- The hosts staked claim to the finale by winning 10 of the third set's first 12 points. Freshmen Lily Blodgett and Taylor Sawyer along with senior Catherine Flaherty registered points for Merrimack, but the Pioneers proved too much, closing the match in three
Notes & Notables
- Senior Sydney Buran registered a season-high seven assists as the fourth-year Warrior combined with sophomore Megan Rumenapp for setting duties
- Senior Kylie Chetwydne played in a season-high three sets, totaling a season-best four digs
Up Next:
The Warriors go head-to-head with Saint Francis University on Friday at 6 p.m. at Hammel Court. Merrimack will look to improve on its last meeting with the Red Flash, when the Warriors won their first-ever NEC set.
